Hydrocarbon injecting device



Aug 3l 1954 A. M. CHAMBERS 2,687,711

HYDROCARBON INJECTING DEVICE Filed Feb. 24, 1952 2 SheetsSheet l INVENTOR. Cbamber5 ArrokA/svs Aug. 3l, -1954 A. M. CHAMBERS 2,687,711

` HYDRocARBoN INJECTING DEVICE Filed Feb. 24, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 zm/ENTUR Y BY V Arrow/5y.;

Patented Aug. 31, 1954 Alexander M.

Chambers, Richmond, Calif.

Application February 24, 1951, serial No. 212,656

3 Claims.

This invention relates generally to devices for feeding small quantities of material `to an internal combustion engine.

In the operation -of internal combustionengines of the automotive type, making' use of a liquid fuel carburetor, it is frequently desirable to feed small amounts of liquid materials to the engine to `supplement the carbureted air. For example it `has been found desirable to introduce small amounts of a detergent tuneup foil into the intake manifold, `to prevent accumulations of carbon in the cylinders, to maintain the valves adequately lubricated, `and efficient operation of the Conventional feed devices which are available for this purpose are unsatisfactory. It is difficult to regulate the rate of feed so that an adequate amount is provided for diiferent operating conditions. It is also diiicult to avoid continued feeding of 'the liquid material when the engine is not in operaf tion, which is undesirable because it is wasteful and also because it may provide too much of the material when the engine is being started in operation.

In general it is an object of the `present invention to provide a simple feed device suitable for the purpose referred to above, and which in particular will make possible proper regulated feed of liquid material to an internal combustion engine.

Another object4 of the invention is to provide a device of the above `character which will avoid the use `of conventional needle valves or metering devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the above character which can be used for the introduction of supplemental fuel into the intake manifold.

Additional `objects of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiment has been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

Referring `to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, illustrating a conventional internal combustion engine having my device applied to the same.

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail illustrating the construction of my device.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the device as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side elevational View like Figure l, but showing my device being used for the purpose of introducing supplemental fuel into the intake manifold.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional View in side elevabustion engine Il,

tion illustrating the device incorporated in the arrangement of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the devine *shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is 'a crossesectional detail of the iioat and the valve controlled by the same. p Referring rst to Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, I have shown my feed device i0 being used vin conjunction with a conventional internalcoin the intake manifold l2, the carburetor I3, and the air iilter hi. Line I6 connects the carburetor to the fuel pump Il.

body 28, which is preferably lformed of metal.

considerable strength which is highly porous. It is convenient to form the body 28 annular, with an axial opening 29 extending through the saine. A the vessel and has its lower portion extending 28. A desirable arrangement is to form the pipe `3l of suiicie'nt length whereby its ends, extend through openings 32 and 33 in the cover and bottom walls 23 and 2li. The exterior end portions '34 and 36 of the pipe are threaded, and `are ixed in a suitable mounting bracket 3 1.

The lower end of the pipe 3l 39, and that portion of the pipe which extends through the body 28 is provided openings 39. The upper end of the pipe 3| is open to the atmosphere through the strainer fitting 4i. The body 28 is clamped between a washer 42 on the pipe 3| and the bottom wa1124.

A pipe or tube 43 communicates with the upper end of the vessel, through the needle valve 44. end of pipe or tube 43 connects with the intake manifold as shown in Figure 1. A plug 46 can be removed from the cover for introducing I tuneup oil or other liquid material.

Operation of the device described above is as follows: A quantity of suitable liquid material is introduced into the vessel such as a detergent tuneup oil. As previously explained it has been found beneficial to introduce such oil in small amounts. Assuming now that the vessel 2| contains a quantity of such detergent tuneup oil, and that the engine is in operation,suction is applied through the pipe 43 whereby atmospheric air is drawn down through pipe 3| and the porous body 28. Such air is dispersed as small bubbles in the body of oil. Assuming that the oil initially had a level at 48, aeration causes foaming whereby the level of the aerated and foamed mass may now be at t9. Air leaving this foamed mass carries with it small droplets of oil which are thereby carried through pipe 43 into the intake manifold. Valve lid is adjusted whereby for normal operation level 49 is spaced from but near the cover 23.

After being adjusted for normal operation, there may be excessive foaming of the oil when a cold engine is started, but this is desirable because under such conditions an increased amount of the oil is supplied to the engine. When the engine is not in operation no oil is supplied and therefore there is no possibility of leakage.

Figures 4 to 7 inclusive illustrate another embodiment of my invention which is suitable for the introduction of supplemental liquid fuel into the engine. In this instance a vessel 5| has the cover and bottom parts 52 and 53, similar to Figure 2. vessel connects with the intake manifold l2 through the needle valve 56. Another pipe 51 communicates with the upper part of the vessel through the needle valve 58 and the float control valve 53. As shown in Figure 4 pipe 51 connects with the discharge side of the fuel pump l1. A float 6| is pivotally mounted Within the vessel 5| and is arranged to operate the valve member 62 of the float operated valve 59. The remainder of the parts of the device shown in Figure 5 are the same as in Figure 2. In other Words the pipe 3| extends downwardly through the vessel, and has its lower portion in communication with the interior of the porous body 28.

' Operation of the device as shown in Figures 4 to 7 inclusive is as follows: When the engine is in operation, the fuel pump |1 supplies gasoline to the vessel through the pipe 51, valve 58, and float control valve 59. The action of the float serves to maintain a substantially constant level of liquid in the vessel. Due to the suction applied from the intake manifold, air is drawn downwardly through the pipe 3| and through the porous body 28. Such air is dispersed as small air bubbles in the body of liquid, causing a small amount of foaming at the surface of the liquid, and causing some vaporization of the fuel together with a continual breakage of the surface film which tends to cause small droplets of the fuel to be entrained with the air in the upper part of the vessel. Vaporized fuel and small liquid` droplets from the upper part of the vessel forms A pipe 54 in the upper part of the a combustible mixture which is drawn through the pipe 54 into the intake manifold. A combustible mixture drawn into the intake manifold in this fashion makes it possible to secure more economical operation of the engine, particularly when one adjusts the carburetor I3 accordingly. One can adjust the amount of combustible mixture supplied from my device by adjusting the setting of the valve 56. Also if desired additional special treatment liquids can be introduced into the vessel, such as the previously mentioned detergent tuneup oil.

It will be evident from the foregoing that I have provided a simple device for the introduction of liquid material into internal combustion engines. The device makes possible introduction of small amounts of liquid material without critical adjustments. Also there is no tendency toward clogging as is' the case with metering valves or orifices, and the feeding of the liquid material does not continue when the engine is not in operation.

I claim:

1. A feed device for introducing liquid material into the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine havingI a fuel pump independently of the carbureted air introduced into the intake manifold by the conventional carburetor; comprising a Vessel adapted to contain a quantity of liquid fuel, a float disposed within the vessel, a valve controlled tion to said valve and adapted to connect the Valve to the discharge side of the fuel pump, a second pipe connection associated with said vessel and adapted to connect the upper portion of said vessel with the intake manifold, and means for introducing air into the lower part of the vessel to aerate the liquid therein, said means comprising an annular porous metal body in the lower portion of the vessel, said body having an axial opening, a vertical pipe having its upper end open to the atmosphere, the lower end of the pipe extending into the axial opening in said body and having a plurality of openings in contact with said axial opening to allow the introduction of air into the pores of the body.

2. A device as in claim 1 in which an adjustable valve is included in said first pipe connection to control the now of fuel from the fuel pump to the vessel.

3. A device as in claim 2 in which an adjustable valve is included in said second pipe connection to adjust the rate of feed from the vessel to the intake manifold.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,191,097 Speirs July 11, 1916 1,391,899 Lynch Sept. 27, 1921 1,724,097 Losack Aug. 13, 1929 1,786,432 Kirk et al Dec. 30, 1930 1,834,646 Sandor Dec. 1, 1931 2,038,451 Schattaneck Apr. 21, 1936 2,625,142 Chambers Jan. 13, 1953 by the float, a rst pipe connec 

